New Tricks for Old Diseases

You should always have a menu of choices, even if they include drops, laser or surgery. Even in glaucoma, we would say there are several less invasive and more natural options. Glaucoma illustrates the fact that there may always be less invasive and more natural options. The following are some of these options.

• Vitamin D3 drops appear to be successful in treating experimental Glaucoma in rabbits. They are not available in humans at this point, but all of us may benefit from oral Vitamin D supplementation.
• Ginkgo biloba and Salvia are two herbs that increase blood flow to the head and eyes. The research on ginkgo has been published ten years ago.
• The herbal combination iFolia contains multiple herbs including Pilocarpine and coleus, two items that have proven effective as eye drops in the past
• Mirtogenol has just come on the market as a supplement that may be helpful to lower intraocular pressure; it contains bilberry and pycnogenol
• Let’s not forget exercise, which repeatedly has been shown to be effective in so many ways.
• The Omega 3 DHA taken orally improves the outflow of fluid from the eye.

Now watch out – be aware that the preservatives BAK is in many eye drops and can cause chronic irritation with frequent usage. So, if you must take eye drops for glaucoma, choose one without BAK preservative.

Lastly, remember that even an eye drop is a medication that should be listed with your other medications for your doctor.